Tips For Grilling Better Baby Back Ribs

June 13, 2013

(NAPSI)Ribs are a grilling favorite; however, according to the 24th annual Weber GrillWatch Survey, 17 percent of grill owners consider ribs to be the most challenging food to grill.

"There are a few tricks to the trade when it comes to delicious ribs," says NY Times best-selling author Jamie Purviance. "Removing the membrane from the back of the ribs is essential, and of course cooking over low indirect heat for a long time results in fall-off-the-bone ribs every time."

Purviance outlines all of his tips for grilling perfect ribs in a two-page Grill Skills spread in his new cookbook, "Weber's New Real Grilling."

Baby Back Ribs With Spicy Rub And Molasses Barbecue Sauce

Serves: 4

Prep time: 20 minutes

Grilling time: 3-4 hours

Rub:

2 tablespoons packed golden brown sugar

1 tablespoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 teaspoon prepared chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 racks baby back ribs, each 2-2 pounds

Sauce:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 yellow onion, 7-8 ounces, finely chopped

1 cup ketchup

cup light molasses (not blackstrap)

cup beer, preferably lager

1/4 cup cider vinegar

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoons mustard powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup beer, preferably lager

Combine the rub ingredients. Using a dull knife, slide the tip under the membrane covering the back of each rack of ribs. Lift and loosen the membrane until you can pry it up, then grab a corner of it with a paper towel and pull it off. Season the racks all over with the rub, and allow them to stand at room temperature for 45 minutes before grilling. Prepare the grill for indirect cooking over low heat (250 to 350 F). Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook until slightly softened, 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the remaining sauce ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, for 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat. Place the racks, bone side down, over indirect low heat, as far from the heat as possible, close the lid, and cook for 3 hours. After the first hour, baste the racks with beer, particularly any areas that are looking a little dry. Continue to baste with beer every hour or so. After 3 hours, check to see if one or both racks are ready to come off the grill. They are done when the meat has shrunk back from the ends of most of the bones by inch or more. Lift a rack by picking up one end with tongs. It should bend in the middle and the meat should tear easily. If the meat does not tear easily, return the racks to the grill, close the lid, and continue cooking for up to 1 hour more. Remove the racks from the grill and lightly brush them on both sides with some of the sauce. Return the racks to the grill and cook over indirect low heat, with the lid closed, until the surface is slightly crispy, 10 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Cut the racks between the bones into individual ribs; serve warm with the remaining sauce.

2013 Weber-Stephen Products LLC. Recipe from Weber's New Real Grilling by Jamie Purviance. Used with permission.